Christopher McPherson, 42, now of Webbcona Parade, Wendouree, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court last week to unlawful assault and two counts of causing damage.

Police alleged that at 6.30pm on February 17, McPherson was at his mother’s home in Wendouree. An argument had developed and McPherson threw a number of items including an ashtray which dented a stove.

His brother came and took him to his place. The next day McPherson had been drinking and at 8.30pm there was an altercation with his brother.

McPherson had lunged at his brother and punched him to the mouth. The defendant then left and went to his mother’s home about 8.30pm.

His mother was too scared to answer the door. McPherson kicked in the front door and verbally abused his mother. Police officers attended and arrested McPherson.

Defence counsel Belinda Northey said that her client had been self-medicating with alcohol for two years after McPherson was divorced, he stopped working and moved in with his parents at their Ballarat home.

His father has since died.

Ms Northey said McPherson had engaged with a number of support services include Alcoholics Anonymous, a drug and alcohol worker, and since being stabbed in May this year a psychologist and victim of crime counsellor.

She said McPherson now visited his children and grandchildren in Warrnambool.

McPherson told the court it had been a shocking year but with the support of services he could now see light at the end of the tunnel.

He said it had taken a long time to realise he was an alcoholic.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said McPherson had not been self-medicating, he had simply been abusing alcohol. 

But he said McPherson had engaged with a range of support services that the court would have considered putting in place and had got his life back on track.

McPherson was placed on a